Manitoba Legislative Building, formerly named Manitoba Parliament Building, is the meeting place of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in the city of Winnipeg. Construction of this neo-classical style building, designed by Frank Worthington Simon (1862–1933), began in 1913 but a shortage of labours, materials, and funds during WWI delayed the construction till 1919. The official opening ceremony took place on on July 15, 1920—the province’s 50th anniversary date. Manitoba joined the Confederation in 1870 as a province rather than a territory under The Manitoba Act of 1870. Read St. Norbert Place article about how the Province Manitoba was born.

December 29, 2012: Manitoba Legislative Building in winter

Manitoba Legislative Building is open every day, year round (including Saturdays and Sundays) for self-guided tours. Guided tours are offered hourly from July 1 to the Labour Day long weekend in September or by appointments the rest of the year (call 204-945-5813 to schedule a guided tour). The Legislative Building, including the visitors gallery to watch the legislative assembly in session, is wheelchair accessible.

Manitoba Legislative Building is famous for its Golden Boy at the top of the cupola (the domed ceiling). The Legislative Building also has two Sphinxes!!! Do you know where they are?!?! ò.ó

December 29, 2012: Inside the Legislative Building, the Grand Staircase is guarded by bison on each side. The bison, a symbol of the Province of Manitoba, are meant to represent the sacred bulls which guard temple entrances. Directly above the Grand Staircase (at the very top of this picture) is a Medusa's Head!

December 29, 2012: Close-up view of the Medusa's Head in the legislature lobby. Facing the Medusa on the opposite side of the lobby is Athena, Greek goddess of war, embodiment of democracy and also the protector of cities.

December 29, 2012: Rotunda facing south. The door in the back is the doorway to Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Above the doorway is a mural by Frank Brangwyn depicting World War I. In the centre of the painting is a man in tattered rags with his left chest and arm exposed, being helped along by a comrade. Above the men are a faint depiction of The Madonna and child.

December 29, 2012: Rotunda facing north. Visitors can feel the spirits of Christams festivity in the legislature building.

December 29, 2012: The dome above the rotunda. The Golden Boy is located on the top of this dome.

December 29, 2012: View of Grand Staircase from 2nd floor. There is a piano on the stairs, because a wedding is happening later in the day! Manitoba Legislative Building can be a venue for wedding ceremony. Not really sure how much it costs to rent the space inside the legislature building...